A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

From a tower in the castle, Eric gazed through a window at Emperor Henry, who was repenting outside.

He had long prepared for this day. He had ordered the townsfolk to stay far from the castle, and commercial activities were to be postponed for three days. He would provide some compensation for their losses during this period.

He also warned them that this was not a negotiation but a command. Violators would be punished, both in body and in spirit.

This was done to preserve the young Emperor's dignity, though for the young man, it had likely already hit rock bottom.

But Eric believed that hitting rock bottom was still better than falling through a crack straight into Hell.

Destroying the Emperor was not a good thing.

What Eric truly wanted was balance, not chaos.

Besides, the cost of fighting the Emperor to the bitter end was too high. The Kingdom of England and Normandy had no need to be embroiled in such a massive dispute. Otherwise, the King of France Island would be laughing himself silly.

Although Robert had, with the support of the townspeople, easily won a victory against the young King of France, the young King's control over France Island remained firm. He still had enough energy to make trouble for Normandy.

After all, Normandy was too close to France, and Rouen too close to Paris. The Empire, by comparison, was much farther away.

The wooden door to the tower was pushed open.

Eric turned his head toward the door.

It was Matilda, and... Gerard's Otto, the Cardinal Bishop of Ostia.

Eric was somewhat disappointed not to see Gregory.

Eric turned back and continued to watch Henry outside the castle.

"Teacher, what was the Holy See's reply...?" Eric asked, looking at Gerard's Otto. He still remembered this teacher of his.

Or rather, it was impossible not to have a deep impression of him.

After all, his name, his renown—the name Urban—had echoed through two full centuries.

He was Gregory's worthy successor, and his achievements, in some ways, surpassed even Gregory's.

"He said you should learn to be quiet. If you're bored, you can go do something more meaningful with Matilda, though hunting isn't particularly suitable on a rainy day."

"As for Heinrich... he needs to stay outside long enough to repent for his sins."

"How direct. But..."

"Don't doubt it, Eric. I repeated your exact words to him, but..." Gerard's Otto shook his head.

Gerard's Otto could keenly perceive the subtlest changes in a person's tone and expression. It was an innate talent that always gave him the upper hand in the diplomatic affairs of the Roman Curia.

That was why Gregory trusted him so implicitly.

In his view, anyone could become a friend. The steps before the Holy Temple always had gray sections, but sometimes, gray stone was more solid and dependable than bricks of gold and tiles of silver.

"He seems to be acting like a suffering Christ, willing to drink from his bitter cup, while the Holy See continuously calls him the Antichrist." Gerard's Otto gazed at the man kneeling in the mud below the castle, who no longer looked like an Emperor at all.

"The Holy See finds it... disrespectful that Heinrich (the German for Henry) is acting like Jesus," Matilda said, looking at Eric. "We know how much the Holy See cares about symbolism. And don't forget, anything that reminds Heinrich of his role as Christ's vicar will put him on the defensive."

"In fact, I think Empress Dowager Agnes has also had a negative influence. She was terrified by today's events and begged the Holy See to spare her child. You probably heard the commotion in the hall just now. In the end, it made the Holy See seem like the sinner."

"And that morally corrupt sycophant, Rudolph, was there spreading poisonous lies. The Emperor's plight makes him feel as if the throne of Charlemagne is already his," Gerard's Otto continued.

A week before Henry's arrival at Canossa, Empress Dowager Agnes and Rudolph, the Duke of Swabia, had already reached Canossa. They had been staying in Rome before that.

"Repentance is meaningless to him," Eric said to Gerard's Otto. "I don't believe he feels any remorse for his past mistakes. On the contrary, the anger in his heart is still building, and it will erupt the moment Rome is weak."

"The Holy See believes that making him suffer is enough. His prostration and pain will become an unparalleled deterrent. All Christian Monarchs, whenever they think of acting recklessly, will be reminded of this, for Heinrich has now set the precedent for them."

"But there will always be those who are bold and reckless. Rather than that, we should consider the practical side of things. In the Emperor's eyes, there is now a 'villain.' That means someone has to play the 'good guy,' Teacher Otto," Eric said.

"Yes, yes, we are all aware of that. But on the matter of Heinrich (the German for Henry), he's incapable of reason. Forgive him. You don't know how much he suffered that day in Rome." Gerard's Otto shrugged.

"If we are destined to be enemies with Heinrich, then what of Jerusalem? The cause of Christ... the great Holy City will forever remain in the hands of Heretics. I believe that in the near future, it won't only be the Jews weeping at King Solomon's Holy Temple." Eric looked at Gerard's Otto.